William Rogers (Australian politician)
William Rogers | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Cornwall, England |
| Died | August 26, 1903 (aged 85) |
| Occupation(s) | Builder, stonemason, pastoralist, politician |
| Years active | 1839–1903 |
| Known for | Member of the South Australian House of Assembly for Mount Barker and Encounter Bay |
William Rogers (22 July 1818 – 26 August 1903) was a notable figure in the political landscape of the early South Australia colony.
History
Originally a builder and stonemason by trade, William Rogers emigrated from Cornwall to South Australia aboard the Platina, arriving in July 1839. He established himself in the Sandergrove area, where he contributed to various construction projects, notably including the flour mill of John Dunn at Mount Barker. His brother Joseph joined him in 1847. Rogers expanded his interests by acquiring land and engaging in sheep farming. Around 1878, he purchased the property known as "View Bank" from William Bowman and subsequently held stakes in Portee station near Blanchetown as well as another station at Swan Reach. He entrusted management—and eventual ownership—of Finniss to his eldest son while transferring Portee and Swan Reach stations to his younger son Edwin. Although the family endured significant financial setbacks during the drought of the 1890s, they largely regained stability by the time of Rogers’ passing.
Politically, Rogers participated in the first fully elected South Australian House of Assembly, representing Mount Barker intermittently from 1858 to 1870 alongside colleagues such as John Dunn and John Cheriton. He subsequently served as the representative for Encounter Bay between 1872 and 1875, collaborating with Thomas Reynolds and Arthur Fydell Lindsay.
Family
On 7 March 1846, Rogers married Ann Wright (circa 1818 – 17 February 1912), who had arrived in South Australia in 1839 aboard the City of Adelaide. Their offspring included:
- Elizabeth Margaret Rogers (circa 1847 – May 1933), who wed Dr. William James Verco
- Jane Rogers (circa 1849 – 1936), married Thomas Robert Bright S.M., son of H. E. Bright
- Marion Rogers (circa 1851 – 1926), spouse of George Hingston Lake
- William Sandergrove Rogers (1853 – 1905), married Helen Gordon, daughter of Rev. James Gordon of Mount Barker; resided at "View Bank", Finniss
- Ann Wright "Annie" Rogers (1855 – 1951), married Sir John Hannah Gordon, also a son of Rev. James Gordon
- Edwin Rogers (1857 – 1908), married Julia Elizabeth Dunk; lived initially at Portee, Sandergrove, then at "Portee", Parkside